Many new postsecondary opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing students have opened up recently. This development makes postsecondary education available to more students, and gives them more choices regarding where they can go to college and what careers they can pursue. It also compounds the decision-making process.

The process of career development begins in childhood and continues throughout one's entire life. Successful career development depends upon many factors, including self-awareness in relation to the world of work, information about careers, and development of the skills necessary for success in the career of the person's choice.

This book should be useful in a number of ways:

• As a guide for the student, to aid in the selection of an appropriate postsecondary program.

• As a reference source for the counselor, teacher, and parent, to aid in discussing the meaning and significance of certain terms with the student.

• As a starting point for everyone assisting in the student's decision-making process, to aid in discussions about the career areas of study listed with each program.

Those using this book should be made aware that:

- This book will become dated. (The information reported here was collected during the winter of 2000.)

- Earlier editions of this book focused on institutions with programs specially designed for deaf and hard of hearing students. Over the years the delivery of special services at many colleges has changed so that in some cases, these special services are coordinated through an office which serves students with various disabilities. To better reflect this, the editors have included colleges known to be currently serving deaf and hard of hearing students either through a specially designed program or an office serving students with various disabilities.

- The description of each program is based on information provided by that program; more complete and more current information should be obtained by visiting their website or by contacting the program directly.

- Gallaudet University and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID), a college of Rochester Institute of Technology, are responsible, by U.S. law, for serving students from all 50 states and the U.S. territories. Applicants need to check with the specific program to determine if there are residency requirements for admission.

State Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

Students and parents should be informed of the role of each state's vocational rehabilitation agency in providing assistance for postsecondary education.

Students and parents should contact the vocational rehabilitation agency a year or so before deciding on a college. The rehabilitation counselor can provide a thorough vocational evaluation, which may include physical, psychological, aptitude and academic assessments. These results, along with the student's stated interests, will provide valuable information needed for the individual to choose a career goal. Students with clearly defined goals are more likely to complete their training programs, and can expect much higher life-time earnings than students who do not complete a training program. Planning a realistic career goal is extremely important.

The rehabilitation agency will develop a plan with the student. The plan can provide a smooth transition from secondary education through college and on to employment. Often the rehabilitation agency has experiences and/or agreements with postsecondary institutions which can be extremely helpful to students. In some instances, technological and assistive devices

needed for college and/or employment can be secured through the agency. The rehabilitation counselor can assist the student in exploring the job market and locating local community resources, and employment opportunities after graduation.

This book is not all inclusive with reference to postsecondary opportunities. Some postsecondary programs providing special services to deaf and hard of hearing students may not be reported here because they have not come to the attention of the editors or because they did not respond to the survey. In addition, over the years, many deaf and hard of hearing students have been successful in postsecondary institutions without special services. These may be options for some deaf and hard of hearing students to pursue.

Parents and students should also be reminded that (under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and affirmed by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) no otherwise qualified handicapped applicant can be denied admission, solely on the basis of handicap, to the services and programs of educational institutions receiving federal financial assistance.